The Archdiocese of Boston is blasting a satanic “black mass” set to take place at Harvard on Monday and is calling on the Cambridge campus to “disassociate” itself from the controversial event.

“The Catholic community in the Archdiocese of Boston expresses its deep sadness and strong opposition to the plan to stage a 'black mass’ on the campus of Harvard University in Cambridge,” the archdiocese said in a statement this morning. “For the good of the Catholic faithful and all people, the Church provides clear teaching concerning Satanic worship. This activity separates people from God and the human community, it is contrary to charity and goodness, and it places participants dangerously close to destructive works of evil.

“In a recent statement, Pope Francis warned of the danger of being naïve about or underestimating the power of Satan, whose evil is too often tragically present in our midst. We call upon all believers and people of good will to join us in prayer for those who are involved in this event, that they may come to appreciate the gravity of their actions, and in asking Harvard to disassociate itself from this activity.”

The black mass, reenacted by members of a New York-based group known as Satanic Temple, is being hosted by the Harvard Extension Cultural Studies Club. On its web site, the club called the reenactment educational and said it is not meant to “denigrate any religion or faith.” The club said a piece of bread is used in the reenactment but it won’t include a “consecrated host.”

The archdiocese plans to hold a holy hour at 8 p.m. Monday at St. Paul’s Church, located near the campus.

Jessica Heslam joined the Herald in 2000 and was an award-winning reporter who covered some of the region’s biggest news stories before being named columnist in 2011. She writes about media, breaking news, politics and human interest, excelling at getting the tough interviews and giving readers some of Boston's most emotional stories. Follow her on Twitter @JessicaHeslam.